Well, it’s been more than 10 months since my last report and once again we have had to endure a drier and hotter year.
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I’m sure like most local farmers we had some good rainfall in December, which only increased the weed burden.
The heliotrope has loved the conditions, and spraying has been a major priority.
Last year was one of the worst years we have endured for pasture growth since we moved to Marnoo in 1998.
Even in dry years, we have usually had good winter growth but we have been feeding out solidly since the summer of 2018, with little likelihood that is going to change soon.
Even in dry years, we have usually had good winter growth but we have been feeding out solidly since the summer of 2018, with little likelihood that is going to change soon.
- Tracy Krupa
The excessive heat has had a significant impact on our veggie garden and orchard.
Our young apple trees looked so promising with huge fruit crops but the wind and heat resulted in branches breaking and fruit getting sunburnt.
Our pumpkins and tomatoes have thrived and even the cabbages are doing well, but they are all having to compete with love grass.
I’ve never seen so much love grass.
Every time we venture out to harvest some veggies, we become entangled in love grass, it’s like large tentacles trying to trap you in the garden beds.
Cutting off the grass and taking the seed heads away seems to be the only way to deal with it for now.
We have decided to do our bit for the environment and go solar.
The only problem has been that since we signed the contracts in December it has either been too wet, too hot or too windy to install.
Note to self, don’t organise any building work in summer as you are likely to be disappointed.
I must admit that autumn can’t come soon enough.
It seems that the older you get the less tolerance you have for the heat and dry.
Unfortunately, I listened to the most recent long-range weather forecast which doesn’t sound good, but I’m hoping they have got it wrong.